OT: Leather Fringe....Fashion or Function???

[PaperPatch]

Hfcable posted some pictures of beautiful leatherwork which featured the prominent use of fringe on gun-sleeves.

The use of fringe in garments is also well documented in native cultures.

My question then....is this purely fashion; or could there be a functional component as well??? If functional; what would that function be?

[Killer Kanuck]

I think the function of the fringe was to have a readily available source of leather lace for patching up holes and tears, and things like that.

[Malamute]

I've heard for years that it draws water from the garment, and it breaks up the outline of the body, camoflage so to speak. I don't know about the first, but I believe it does break up the outline somewhat. It definately does look good.

[shawn_c992001]

I've heard for years that it draws water from the garment, and it breaks up the outline of the body, camoflage so to speak. I don't know about the first, but I believe it does break up the outline somewhat. It definately does look good.

I've heard the same, if you look at the ghillie suit it's shaggy just like the fringe on buck skin, but this is just my observation. The fringe may draw dampness away and the air blowing around and through the fringe may help it dry.

[Idiot]

The fringe is designed to wick water from the garment and, when placed properly, will also block water from portions of the garment.

A properly brain tanned hide, that is smoked and fringed, is fairly water resistant.

However, now days, since no one is going to actually wear a $1000 garment in the rain; the fringe is mostly fashion.

[bogus bill]

I always heard it was for frontiersmen and indians to have handy to tie things with. Sure makes sense to me, but not nowdays for the price!

[runfiverun]

fringe was so water would
run away from the seam on the clothing and not soak in.
it is like the drip-line on a tree.
can't believe i retained this piece of information.

[kimwcook]

Do direct water from the garment, +1.

[Tumbleweeds]

Deerskin clothes weren't fashion items at all, they were how you survived the winter when you didn't have wool, Gore-Tex, etc. You made the suit yourself (or your squaw did) with the hair on the inside, and wore it all winter. Deer hair is hollow, which is how deer survive the winter, and insulates well.

Fashion items were things like beads, porcupine quills, etc. for decoration. Buckskin, fringe and all, was as practical as overalls.